A ‘Real NYC Housewife’ in the Five Towns

Returning to her roots, Jill Zarin, who grew up in Woodmere Park and is currently one of the stars of Bravo’s “Real Housewives of New York City,” television show, took the place of a Key Food employee to tape a segment for the nationally syndicated “Nate Berkus Show.”

Zarin, worked for nearly four hours as a personal shopper in the supermarket off of Franklin Place in Woodmere, for single mother and birthday girl Aracely “Cely” Corona on Jan. 21.

As a teenager, Zarin, worked as a cashier in this store, and took her “job” seriously as she consistently checked items and prices as she put together the telephone order for a store customer.

“I actually enjoyed this, I had a great time today,” said Zarin after she successfully rang up the patron’s order, along with cashier Vanesa Cabanez. “I was having fun.”

Though most people only know Zarin through her TV persona, she worked at a young age folding jeans at Infiniti at 11 in exchange for clothes, as a cashier at a Peninsula Boulevard Chinese take-out at 14, Key Food, Ronny’s, then earned an assistant manager position at Good Buys on Central Avenue as a senior in high school. She attended Lawrence, the junior high and Number Six School.

“It was my first job (for money) and only time I got fired,” she said about her time at the Chinese eatery, where she rang up 45 cents “way too many times,” as $45.

Zarin and the crew from the Berkus show taped a segment called “Your Big Day Off,” and initially told Corona they were doing a story on single moms. Corona, who was not available for an interview, was said to be surprised that there was a limousine outside the Key Food, which whisked her away to Manhattan for spa time at the Warren Tricomi Salon and lunch at Norma’s at the Parker Meridien Hotel.

“I heard she was really surprised,” said Giovani Valerio, one of the store managers and Corona’s boss. “She is a hard worker and she deserved it.”

Though taping could be boring with its repetitive set ups and occasional re-takes, Zarin, wearing a maroon Key Food shirt, made it entertaining for those watching as she ran from one aisle to another collecting the needed items.

Anita Zaret, an aunt of Zarin’s stopped by and complimented her niece. “ She’s terrific in every way with boundless energy and a generous heart,” the Hewlett resident said.

When calling the customer, Barry, a Woodmere resident, to clarify an order item, Zarin recommended buying flowers for his wife, suggested buying blueberries, strawberries and other fresh fruit.

Saying that she is always had a work ethic and was eager to work, especially in fashion, Zarin said, “No one should do a job they’re not having fun at, as life is too short. There are too many jobs you could create for yourself. I work seven days a week, 24 hours a day. I don’t look at it as work, I look at it as fun.”

Zarin’s segment was originally scheduled for Feb. 9. It is slated to air on Thursday, Feb. 10. Berkus’ show can seen locally on WNBC, channel 4 at 3 p.m.